I am not against hunting with dogs during season. I bowhunt on my own private land, and also muzzleload hunt. It has been annoying sitting in a stand for hours bowhunting only to have a pack of dogs come running through contaminating my hunting area. I have been turning in dogs all year, with the dog owners claiming that they are training their dogs.I have food plots and am designing my land as a sanctuary for deer to bed and feed...not be chased by hounds 24/7. Many Saturday mornings I have been glassing my fields for the deer on my private property, and end up filling my truck up with dogs running wild...supposedly from responsible dog hunters
I even hunt with dogs during general firearms season, but give the others a chance with their choice of hunting.
Everyone of the dog owners have given the animal control officers the excuse that they are training them. It is also unlawful to run your dogs during season without displaying their county registration tags and rabies tags.
Be careful, because they are giving out BIG fines and taking the dogs to "doggy Jail" and I will help enforce this because they will not be ruining another turkey hunt, bowhunt, or muzzy hunt!
Kudos to VA DGF officials!
Training Dogs
The training of dogs on live wild animals is considered hunting and is unlawful during the closed season except as noted below.
[ul][*]You must have a valid hunting license while training dogs on live wild animals.[*]You may train dogs during daylight hours on rabbits and non-migratory game birds on private lands. Participants shall have no weapons other than starter pistols in their possession and no wild animals shall be taken. Weapons may be in possession when training dogs on captive raised and properly marked mallards and pigeons so that they may be immediately shot or recovered, except on Sunday.[*]You may train dogs on National Forest or Department-owned lands only during authorized training seasons that specifically permit these activities.[*]You may train dogs on National Forest or Department-owned lands only during authorized training seasons that specifically permit these activities.[*]You may train dogs on quail on designated portions of the Amelia Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Chester F. Phelps WMA, Chickahominy WMA and Dick Cross WMAfrom September 1 to the day prior to the opening date of the quail hunting season, both dates inclusive. No weapons other than starter pistols may be in possession, and pen-raised birds may not be released.[*]Pen-raised quail may be released at any time on private land with landowner permission. However, except on hunting (shooting) preserves, birds can only be shot during the regular quail season. Regular bag limits apply.[*]You may train dogs during daylight hours on rabbits and non-migratory game birds on the Weston WMAfrom September 1 thru March 31, both dates inclusive. Participants in this dog training season shall have no weapons other than starter pistols in their possession, shall not release pen-raised birds, and must comply with all regulations and laws pertaining to hunting. No game shall be taken. [/ul]
Most legit dog trainers already adhere to these rules. This in no way is going to help you with irresponsible folks who let their dogs run loose unsupervised.
Finally
